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Autopsy: Former Iowa DB Tyler Sash died from 'accidental overdose'

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2009, file photo, Iowa's Tyler Sash runs off the field after his team's 35-3 win over Iowa State in an NCAA college football game in Ames, Iowa. Former Iowa football star Tyler Sash, who later player two seasons with the New York Giants, has died, according to the Iowa State medical Examiner's office. Sash, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in 2011, was 27. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

A month after the death of Tyler Sash, an autopsy determined that the former Iowa standout died from an accidental overdose.

According to the Associated Press, an Iowa medical examiner determined Sash “mixed two powerful pain medications” and his “history of painful injures was a contributing factor” in his death.

Sash was found dead in his home on Sept. 8. He was 27 years old.

From the AP:

Sash, a standout safety at Iowa who won a Super Bowl during his rookie season with the New York Giants in 2012, was found dead at his home in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Sept. 8. An autopsy was conducted the next day, but the results weren't clear until laboratory results were completed.

The autopsy determined the cause and manner of death was an ''accidental mixed drug toxicity involving methadone and hydrocodone,'' the office said Tuesday. Both are legal narcotics used to relieve severe pain, but are also highly addictive.

The medical examiner said that a recent shoulder dislocation and a history of chronic shoulder pain suffered by Sash were also ''significant conditions'' in the death.

The Iowa State Medical Examiner said additional studies are required to see if Sash suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repetitive hits to the head. Those results are expected in “eight to 12 months.”

Sash was a star safety who started 37 games at Iowa from 2008-2010. He ranks fifth in program history with 13 interceptions and is Iowa’s all-time record holder with 392 career interception return yards, which is good for fourth-best in Big Ten history.

Sash declared for the NFL after his junior year at Iowa and was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants in 2011. Sash won a Super Bowl with the team in 2012. He was later released via an injury settlement (concussion) in 2013 and was unable to catch on with any other team.

For more Iowa news, visit HawkeyeReport.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!